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Monday, December 30, 2013

Book Review: Gunny's Rules

Want to get live your life like R. Lee Ermey aka 'The Gunny'? Read his thoughts on life, his past and some current events? This is it. *

Gunny's Rules is an amazingly fast read that is a mix of advice, auto-biography and philosophy, alternating between chapters focusing heavily on his USMC experiences and his time filming Full Metal Jacket.

This is tried and true 'Gunny'. The entire time I was reading it, I was hearing the words in his voice. Most of the advice is what you'ld expect. Work hard, play hard, be straight-forward, give everything you've got, and don't be afraid to try new things. I learned a lot about his life and movie trivia which I always find interesting. Not a real big fan of quote lists but for those who enjoy them, there are sections devoted to it. There was also a chapter devoted to his thoughts on current events, Environmentalism, Education, 2A, etc. I didn't agree w/ all his views but he's honest.

His manager opens the book w/ a glowing view of Ermey, stating that he always takes time to talk to fans who often wait hours in line at shows to meet him. I can state for a fact that's true. At the end of a long day, he spent quite a bit of time talking to me and a friend at the St. Louis NRA AM, not just one of those that smiles, signs a stock photo then you move on.

I enjoyed this book. Overall it's an entertaining, fun and quick read.

* Full Disclosure ; I was sent this as an evaluation copy (signed, geeking) from his publisher.